Andy Devlin via Getty Images
Sorry Andrew Ference, no more "C" for your chest.
The Edmonton Oilers have announced that rather than having a captain this season, they'll have four alternates: Ference, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Ference has served as team captain for the past two seasons. Now, he'll wear an "A" like the other three.
Eberle is currently out with a shoulder injury and will be replaced with Matt Hendricks, says Coach Todd McLellan.
While odd, the decision isn't unprecedented — the Montreal Canadiens had four alternates last year, before giving Max Pacioretty the "C" this year.
The Oilers open their regular season against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.
What do you think of the move to start the 2015-16 season without a designated captain?
With files from The Canadian Press
ALSO ON HUFFPOST:
Oilers Reunion 30 Years After Cup Win
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Wayne Gretzky makes his way on stage at Rexall Place on Oct. 10, 2014 to mark the 30th anniversary of the team's first Stanley Cup in Edmonton. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Paul Coffey and Dave Semenko shake hands as players from the Edmonton Oilers 1984 team reunite. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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A fan watches as the ceremonies start to mark the 30th anniversary of the team's first Stanley Cup in Edmonton on Oct. 10, 2014. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Fans wait to get into Rexall Place in Edmonton on Oct. 10, 2014. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Fans get their picture taken with the Wayne Gretzky statue at Rexall Place before an event with players from the Edmonton Oilers 1984 team reuniting to mark the 30th anniversary of the team's first Stanley Cup in Edmonton on Oct. 10, 2014. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Wayne Gretzky (left), Dave Lumley (back) and Paul Coffey (right). (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Wayne Gretzky and former teammates hoist the Stanley Cup as they make their way through the crowd as players from the Edmonton Oilers 1984 team reunite to mark the 30th anniversary of the team's first Stanley Cup, in Edmonton on Oct. 10, 2014. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Former Edmonton Oilers' Mark Messier, left, Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri have a laugh as Paul Coffey tells stories during the 1984 Stanley Cup reunion media availability in Edmonton on Oct. 8, 2014. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Former Edmonton Oilers' Wayne Gretzky, right, has a laugh as Mark Messier tells a story during the 1984 Stanley Cup reunion media availability in Edmonton on Oct. 8, 2014. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Edmonton Oilers' Jari Kurri, left, Paul Coffee and Glen Sather listen to teammates as they tell stories. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Former Edmonton Oilers' Grant Fuhr and Glenn Anderson. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Former Edmonton Oilers' Glenn Anderson laughs as Mark Messier speaks to media. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Former Edmonton Oilers' Wayne Gretzky and teammate Pat Conacher as they make their way to the 1984 Stanley Cup reunion media availability in Edmonton on Oct. 8, 2014. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Former Edmonton Oilers' Grant Fuhr, left to right, Glenn Anderson, Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri , Paul Coffee and Glen Sather take part in the 1984 Stanley Cup reunion media availability on Oct. 8, 2014. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Former Edmonton Oilers owner Peter Pocklington makes his way to the 1984 Stanley Cup Reunion media availability in Edmonton on Oct. 8, 2014. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Mark Messier watches the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers play during second period NHL hockey action in Edmonton on Oct. 9, 2014. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Wayne Gretzky and his wife Janet Gretzky watch the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers play. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Former Edmonton Oilers' Wayne Gretzky does a radio interview during the 1984 Stanley Cup reunion media availability in Edmonton on Oct. 8, 2014. (credit:Jason Franson/Canadian Press)
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Edmonton Oilers Wayne Gretzky screams as he hoists the Stanley Cup over his head following the team's win over the New York Islanders in Edmonton, May 19, 1984. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mike Ridewood)
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Edmonton Oilers' Mark Messier smiles after being awarded the Conn Smythe trophy as Stanley Cup MVP in Edmonton, May 20, 1984 (credit:. (CP PICTURE ARCHIVE/Dave Buston))
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Paul Coffey holds the Stanley Cup after the Edmonton Oilers won it in this 1984 file photo. (credit:(CP PHOTO/Files))
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Edmonton Oiler hockey great Wayne Gretzky hoists the Stanley Cup over his head following the team's win over the New York Islanders, Edmonton, Alta., May 19, 1984. The Oilers won the game 5-2. (credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/UPC)
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The Edmonton Oilers in action against the New York Islanders during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton, Alta., May 19, 1984. The Oilers won the game 5-2. THE CANADIAN PRESS/UPC
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Edmonton Oiler hockey great Wayne Gretzky hoists the Stanley Cup over his head following the team's win over the New York Islanders, Edmonton, Alta., May 19, 1984. The Oilers won the game 5-2. (credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/UPC)
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The Edmonton Oilers in action against the New York Islanders during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton, Alta., May 19, 1984. The Oilers won the game 5-2. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/UPC)
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Bob Nystrom of the New York Islanders congratulates Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers on their Stanley Cup victory, Edmonton, Alta., May 19, 1984. The Oilers won the game 5-2. (credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/UPC)
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The Edmonton Oilers in action against the New York Islanders during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, Edmonton, Alta., May 19, 1984. The Oilers won the game 5-2. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/UPC)
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1984 Stanley Cup Finals - Game 5: New York Islanders v Edmonton Oilers(31 of41)
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 19: Wayne Gretzky #99 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates with the Stanley Cup Trophy after the Oilers defeated the New York Islanders in Game 5 of the 1984 Stanley Cup Finals on May 19, 1984 at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images) (credit:B Bennett via Getty Images)
Champions at last: Edmonton went slightly berserk last night; and the celebrating started as soon as(32 of41)
CANADA - MAY 19: Champions at last: Edmonton went slightly berserk last night; and the celebrating started as soon as the final second ticked off in the Oilers' 5-2 win over the New York Islanders. By upseting the four-time champs; the Oilers brought the Stanley Cup back to Canada. (Photo by Jeff Goode/Toronto Star via Getty Images) (credit:Jeff Goode via Getty Images)
1984 Stanley Cup Finals - Game 5: New York Islanders v Edmonton Oilers(33 of41)
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 19: Owner Peter Pocklington of the Edmonton Oilers and Walter Gretzky talk in the locker room after the Oilers defeated the New York Islanders in Game 5 of the 1985 Stanley Cup Finals on May 19, 1984 at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images) (credit:B Bennett via Getty Images)
1984 Stanley Cup Finals - Game 5: New York Islanders v Edmonton Oilers(34 of41)
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 19: Randy Gregg #21 and Dave Semenko #27 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrate in the locker room after the Oilers defeated the New York Islanders in Game 5 of the 1984 Stanley Cup Finals on May 19, 1984 at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images) (credit:B Bennett via Getty Images)
1984 Stanley Cup Finals - Game 5: New York Islanders v Edmonton Oilers(35 of41)
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 19: Kevin Lowe #4 and goalie Andy Moog #35 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrate in the locker room with the Stanley Cup Trophy after the Oilers defeated the New York Islanders in Game 5 of the 1984 Stanley Cup Finals on May 19, 1984 at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images) (credit:B Bennett via Getty Images)
1984 Stanley Cup Finals - Game 5: New York Islanders v Edmonton Oilers(36 of41)
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 19: Owner Peter Pocklington of the Edmonton Oilers sprays champagne while celebrating in the locker room after the Oilers defeated the New York Islanders in Game 5 of the 1984 Stanley Cup Finals on May 19, 1984 at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images) (credit:B Bennett via Getty Images)
1984 Stanley Cup Finals - Game 5: New York Islanders v Edmonton Oilers(37 of41)
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 19: Dave Hunter #12 and Dave Semenko #27 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrate in the locker room with the Stanley Cup Trophy after the Oilers defeated the New York Islanders in Game 5 of the 1984 Stanley Cup Finals on May 19, 1984 at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images) (credit:B Bennett via Getty Images)
1984 Stanley Cup Finals - Game 5: New York Islanders v Edmonton Oilers(38 of41)
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 19: Dave Lumley #20 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates in the locker room with the Stanley Cup Trophy after the Oilers defeated the New York Islanders in Game 5 of the 1984 Stanley Cup Finals on May 19, 1984 at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images) (credit:B Bennett via Getty Images)
1984 Stanley Cup Finals - Game 5: New York Islanders v Edmonton Oilers(39 of41)
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 19: Mark Messier #11 of the Edmonton Oilers walks towards the Stanley Cup Trophy while celebrating in the locker room after the Oilers defeated the New York Islanders in Game 5 of the 1984 Stanley Cup Finals on May 19, 1984 at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) (credit:B Bennett via Getty Images)
1984 Stanley Cup Finals - Game 5: New York Islanders v Edmonton Oilers(40 of41)
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 19: Mark Messier #11 of the Edmonton Oilers holds the Conn Smythe Trophy in the locker room after defeating the New York Islanders for the 1984 Stanley Cup at the Northlands Coliseum on May 19, 1984 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) (credit:B Bennett via Getty Images)
1984 Stanley Cup Finals - Game 5: New York Islanders v Edmonton Oilers(41 of41)
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 19: Edmonton Oilers fans go crazy as an Oilers teammate holds up the Stanley Cup after defeating the New York Islanders at the Northlands Coliseum on May 19, 1984 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) (credit:Focus On Sport via Getty Images)